ALAMEDA -- The size of the contract the Raiders reportedly gave former Rams offensive lineman Rodger Saffold on Tuesday says it all -- they got the man they wanted, and it wasn't Jared Veldheer.

Saffold was the big ticket item for the Raiders on the first day of free agency, and later the team added free agent right tackle Austin Howard (New York Jets). Other transactions included the surprising return of running back Darren McFadden with a one-year contract and the departures of unrestricted free agents Veldheer (Arizona Cardinals), Lamarr Houston (Chicago Bears) and running back Rashad Jennings (New York Giants).

While free agent news was rampant throughout the league, the Raiders, had no announcements regarding any transactions.

Austin Howard, who has started every game at right tackle for the New York Jets the past two seasons, is reportedly joining the Raiders as their new right tackle. (Associated Press)

The widely reported contract figures on Saffold -- five years, $21 million guaranteed with a potential value of $42.5 million -- demonstrate why general manager Reggie McKenzie didn't use the franchise tag on Veldheer.

In signing with the Cardinals, Veldheer's five-year deal contained less guaranteed money ($17 million) and a total value of $35 million.

According to an ESPN report, Howard agreed to a five-year, $30 million deal, including $15 million guaranteed. According to the website Pro Football Focus, Howard allowed only two sacks and committed two penalties in 2013. Howard, 6-7, 333, has started all 32 games for the Jets over the past two seasons.

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Veldheer thanked the Raiders organization and fans on Twitter, while his mother, Mary Veldheer noted on Twitter, ``A fair offer from the Raiders never happened. Nothing near the Saffold deal.''

Both players are four year veterans, with Saffold taken as the first pick in the second round (No. 33 overall) by St. Louis out of Indiana in 2010 and Veldheer in the third round (No. 69) out of Hillsdale.

Although a year younger than Veldheer at 25, Saffold (6-foot-5, 334 pounds) hasn't played a 16-game season since his rookie year and has missed 17 of 64 games. Injuries have included a torn pectoral muscle in 2011 and a knee injury in 2012.

Saffold's contract suggests he'll play left tackle for the Raiders, the position he played with the Rams was a rookie and up until Jake Long arrived in free agency. Saffold has also played at right tackle and right guard, and some teams were interested in signing him as a guard.

McKenzie told local reporters McFadden was probably headed for the open market in the offseason, while at the same time saying he wanted to bring Jennings back into the fold.

Instead, Jennings, the Raiders leading rusher with 733 yards, tweeted he was en route to New York to sign with the Giants. McFadden signed a one-year contract for a salary of $1.75 million with $2.25 million in incentives, with $100,000 guaranteed.

"We did have real interest from four or five other teams -- one offered more money," said Ian Greengross, McFadden's agent. "Darren wanted to stay a Raider. He felt like he still had something to prove in silver and black."

McFadden, still only 26, has missed 29 games in six seasons since being the No. 4 overall pick in 2008. He has averaged 3.3 yards per carry in the last two seasons in offense directed by Greg Knapp and Greg Olson after averaging 5.3 yards per carry with Hue Jackson running the offense in 2010 and 2011.

Houston was tweeting thanks to Raiders fans and receiving congratulations from teammates after accepting a reported $35 million offer from the Bears, $12.9 of which was guaranteed.

Like Veldheer, Houston was a candidate to be franchised, and someone McKenzie and coach Dennis Allen identified as a core player in the organization. The Raiders will be seeking defensive linemen in free agency and the draft, given that the rest of the starting defensive line -- tackles Vaughn Walker and Pat Sims and end Jason Hunter -- are all unrestricted free agents.

The Raiders and Cleveland Browns were reportedly talking with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers about a trade for cornerback Darrelle Revis. Revis scheduled salary of $16 million as well as the fact that a trade would cost the team draft picks, however, would seemingly run counter to McKenzie's plan of being fiscally responsible and building through the draft.

Quarterback Michael Vick is on the Raiders' radar, according to an NFL Network report, with other possible suitors being the Jets and Buffalo Bills. McKenzie and Allen both conceded after the season the club would seek a veteran quarterback and that the quarterback of the future may not be on the current roster.

Vick, 34, lost his job to second-year player Nick Foles last season in Philadelphia.

COMINGLT Rodger Saffold LT Austin Howard

GOINGLT Jared Veldheer (reported, $35 million deal with Cardinals, $17 million guarantee), DE Lamarr Houston (five-year, $35 million contract with a $12.9 million guarantee with Bears), RB Rashad Jennings (to sign with Giants).